What is a CBC Test? 10 Common CBC Abnormalities and Their Meanings

Experiencing unexplained fatigue, frequent infections, easy bruising, or persistent weakness are primary symptoms indicating your body may require a CBC test (Complete Blood Count — a comprehensive blood examination measuring red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets that reveals overall blood health, detects anaemia, identifies infections, diagnoses blood disorders, and monitors treatment effectiveness) to identify the underlying condition affecting your blood cells and overall health status.

Since 2007, healthcare nt sickcare has provided over 2,600 families across Pune with reliable CBC testing through NABL-accredited laboratory partnerships, offering convenient home sample collection and affordable pricing for this essential diagnostic investigation. This comprehensive guide explains what CBC tests measure, normal reference ranges, 10 common abnormalities and their meanings, when you should get tested, and how to access quality CBC testing in Pune with results delivered within 24 hours.

What is a CBC Test and Why is it Important?

A CBC test is the most frequently ordered blood investigation providing critical information about blood cell counts and characteristics.

Complete Blood Count (CBC) is a comprehensive blood test that measures and evaluates three major cell types circulating in your blood including red blood cells (RBCs — oxygen carriers delivering oxygen from lungs to body tissues and removing carbon dioxide), white blood cells (WBCs — immune cells defending against infections, bacteria, viruses, and abnormal cells), and platelets (cell fragments enabling blood clotting to stop bleeding when injuries occur). CBC testing provides essential health information by identifying blood conditions such as anaemia (insufficient red blood cells causing fatigue and weakness affecting 53% of Indian women and 23% of men), infections requiring antibiotic treatment (detected through elevated white blood cell counts), blood cancers like leukaemia or lymphoma (indicated by abnormal white blood cell counts or unusual cell types), bleeding disorders from low platelet counts (thrombocytopenia causing easy bruising or excessive bleeding), immune system problems from abnormal white blood cell counts, and nutritional deficiencies particularly iron, vitamin B12, or folate deficiency causing specific anaemia types. According to Mayo Clinic, CBC is used for routine health screening establishing baseline values, diagnosing conditions explaining symptoms like fatigue or fever, and monitoring disease progression or treatment response for chronic conditions. At healthcare nt sickcare, we offer comprehensive CBC testing across Pune with convenient home sample collection and results within 24–48 hours.

What Does a CBC Test Measure? Key Parameters Explained

CBC results display multiple parameters providing comprehensive assessment of blood health and detecting various conditions.

Red Blood Cell Parameters — Oxygen Delivery Assessment

RBC measurements reveal whether your blood carries adequate oxygen to body tissues.

Red Blood Cell Count measures the number of oxygen-carrying cells in blood, with normal ranges 4.35–5.65 million/mm³ for men and 3.92–5.13 million/mm³ for women — low counts indicate anaemia whilst high counts suggest polycythaemia or dehydration. Haemoglobin (Hb) measures the oxygen-carrying protein inside red blood cells, with normal levels 13.2–16.6 g/dL for men and 11.6–15 g/dL for women — low haemoglobin confirms anaemia causing fatigue, weakness, and shortness of breath. Haematocrit (Hct) measures the percentage of blood volume occupied by red blood cells, normally 38.3–48.6% for men and 35.5–44.9% for women — low haematocrit indicates anaemia, whilst high levels suggest dehydration or polycythaemia. Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV) measures average red blood cell size (normal 80–100 fL), helping classify anaemia types — low MCV indicates iron deficiency anaemia (microcytic), normal MCV suggests chronic disease anaemia (normocytic), and high MCV points to vitamin B12 or folate deficiency anaemia (macrocytic). Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin (MCH) measures average haemoglobin amount per red blood cell (normal 27–32 pg/cell), whilst Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin Concentration (MCHC) measures haemoglobin concentration in red blood cells (normal 32–36 g/dL). Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW) measures variation in red blood cell sizes (normal 11.5–14.5%) — high RDW with low MCV suggests iron deficiency, whilst high RDW with high MCV indicates B12/folate deficiency. Learn more about these parameters in our guide on MCHC, MCH, RDW, and MPV blood test markers.

White Blood Cell Parameters — Immune Function Assessment

WBC measurements reveal whether your immune system functions properly and if infections or blood disorders exist.

Total White Blood Cell Count measures infection-fighting cells in blood, with normal range 4,500–11,000 cells/mm³ for adults. Elevated WBC (leukocytosis) usually indicates infection, inflammation, stress response, or rarely blood cancers, whilst low WBC (leukopenia) suggests viral infections, bone marrow problems, or medication side effects. White Blood Cell Differential counts specific WBC types including neutrophils (50–70% of WBCs — fight bacterial infections, elevated in bacterial infection or inflammation), lymphocytes (20–40% — fight viral infections, elevated in viral infections or certain leukaemias), monocytes (2–8% — remove dead cells and fight chronic infections), eosinophils (1–4% — fight parasites and involved in allergic reactions, elevated in allergies or parasitic infections), and basophils (0.5–1% — involved in allergic reactions). Understanding which specific WBC type is abnormal helps doctors determine whether you have bacterial infection (neutrophilia), viral infection (lymphocytosis), allergic reaction (eosinophilia), or blood cancer requiring specialist referral. For information on related testing, see our article on how to test inflammation in the body.

Platelet Parameters — Clotting Function Assessment

Platelet measurements determine whether your blood clots properly to prevent excessive bleeding or dangerous clot formation.

Platelet Count measures clotting cells in blood, with normal range 150,000–400,000 cells/mm³ for both men and women. Low platelet count (thrombocytopenia below 150,000) increases bleeding risk causing easy bruising, prolonged bleeding from cuts, nosebleeds, or in severe cases internal bleeding — causes include immune system destruction (ITP), bone marrow disorders, viral infections, certain medications, or spleen enlargement. High platelet count (thrombocytosis above 400,000) increases blood clot risk that can cause stroke or heart attack — causes include inflammation, iron deficiency, recovery after bleeding, or bone marrow disorders. Mean Platelet Volume (MPV) measures average platelet size (normal 7.5–11.5 fL) — high MPV with low platelet count suggests rapid platelet destruction requiring bone marrow to produce new larger platelets, whilst low MPV with low platelets indicates production problems. Learn about platelet management in our guide on how to increase platelet count.

10 Common CBC Abnormalities and Their Meanings

Understanding specific abnormal patterns in CBC results helps identify the underlying health conditions requiring treatment.

#1 Anaemia — Low Red Blood Cells or Haemoglobin

Anaemia is insufficient red blood cells or haemoglobin causing fatigue, weakness, pale skin, and shortness of breath.

Anaemia appears on CBC as low haemoglobin (below 13.2 g/dL in men, below 11.6 g/dL in women), low red blood cell count, and low haematocrit. Different MCV values classify anaemia types — microcytic anaemia (MCV below 80 fL) from iron deficiency, thalassemia, or chronic disease requiring iron studies and ferritin testing; normocytic anaemia (MCV 80–100 fL) from acute blood loss, chronic kidney disease, chronic inflammation, or bone marrow disorders; and macrocytic anaemia (MCV above 100 fL) from vitamin B12 or folate deficiency requiring vitamin level testing. Common causes include inadequate dietary iron especially in vegetarians, heavy menstrual bleeding in women, pregnancy increasing iron requirements, chronic blood loss from ulcers or gastrointestinal bleeding, vitamin B12 deficiency particularly in vegetarians and elderly, folate deficiency, chronic kidney disease reducing erythropoietin production, and bone marrow disorders affecting red blood cell production. Treatment depends on anaemia type — iron supplementation for iron deficiency, vitamin B12 injections for pernicious anaemia, addressing underlying bleeding sources, or erythropoietin injections for kidney disease-related anaemia.

#2 Leukocytosis — Elevated White Blood Cell Count

Leukocytosis indicates immune system activation fighting infection, inflammation, stress, or rarely blood cancers.

Leukocytosis shows total WBC count above 11,000 cells/mm³, with severity and specific WBC type elevated indicating likely causes. Mild elevation (11,000–15,000) typically results from bacterial infections like pneumonia or urinary tract infection, viral infections, inflammation, physical stress from surgery or injury, or emotional stress. Moderate elevation (15,000–30,000) suggests more serious bacterial infections, inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease, or medication effects particularly corticosteroids. Marked elevation (above 30,000) raises concern for blood cancers like leukaemia or lymphoma requiring urgent haematology referral. The white blood cell differential reveals which specific cell type is elevated — neutrophilia (elevated neutrophils) indicates bacterial infection or inflammation, lymphocytosis (elevated lymphocytes) suggests viral infection or chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, monocytosis (elevated monocytes) occurs in chronic infections or inflammatory conditions, eosinophilia (elevated eosinophils) indicates allergies or parasitic infections, and basophilia (elevated basophils) is rare but may occur in certain blood disorders. For related diagnostic testing, see our article on how to test for blood cancer.

#3 Leukopenia — Low White Blood Cell Count

Leukopenia weakens immune defences making the body vulnerable to serious infections.

Leukopenia shows total WBC below 4,500 cells/mm³, increasing infection risk particularly when neutrophils are specifically low (neutropenia). Common causes include viral infections like influenza, COVID-19, or dengue temporarily suppressing bone marrow, bone marrow disorders affecting white blood cell production, autoimmune diseases where immune system destroys white blood cells, medications including chemotherapy, certain antibiotics, and antipsychotic drugs, nutritional deficiencies particularly B12, folate, or copper, and severe infections overwhelming bone marrow production capacity. Symptoms may include frequent infections, fever, mouth sores, skin infections, or pneumonia. Treatment involves addressing underlying causes, stopping causative medications when possible, treating infections aggressively with antibiotics, and in severe cases using growth factors (G-CSF) stimulating bone marrow white blood cell production. Patients with leukopenia should avoid crowds, practice strict hand hygiene, and seek medical attention promptly for fever or infection signs.

#4 Thrombocytopenia — Low Platelet Count

Thrombocytopenia causes easy bruising and excessive bleeding from minor injuries due to inadequate clotting.

Thrombocytopenia shows platelet count below 150,000 cells/mm³, with bleeding risk increasing as counts drop — mild thrombocytopenia (100,000–150,000) usually causes no symptoms, moderate (50,000–100,000) causes easy bruising and prolonged bleeding from cuts, and severe (below 50,000) risks serious bleeding including internal bleeding or intracranial haemorrhage. Common causes include immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) where antibodies destroy platelets, viral infections particularly dengue or hepatitis C, medications including aspirin, NSAIDs, certain antibiotics, and chemotherapy, bone marrow disorders affecting platelet production, spleen enlargement trapping and destroying platelets, pregnancy (gestational thrombocytopenia), and severe alcohol consumption. Treatment depends on severity and cause — mild cases may only require monitoring, ITP treatment includes corticosteroids or immunosuppressants, severe cases may need platelet transfusions, and splenectomy (spleen removal) for refractory ITP.

#5 Thrombocytosis — High Platelet Count

Thrombocytosis increases blood clot formation risk potentially causing stroke, heart attack, or pulmonary embolism.

Thrombocytosis shows platelet count above 400,000 cells/mm³, classified as reactive thrombocytosis (secondary to another condition) or essential thrombocythaemia (primary bone marrow disorder). Reactive thrombocytosis causes include inflammation from infection, inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, or cancer; iron deficiency anaemia (platelets often rise when iron drops); recovery after acute bleeding or surgery; tissue damage from trauma or burns; and spleen removal (splenectomy). Essential thrombocythaemia is a myeloproliferative disorder where bone marrow overproduces platelets without clear secondary cause, increasing clot risk and requiring haematology management with medications like aspirin, hydroxyurea, or interferon. Symptoms of thrombocytosis include headaches, dizziness, chest pain, vision problems from small clots in eye vessels, numbness or tingling in hands and feet, and occasionally paradoxical bleeding if platelets are abnormal.

#6 Neutropenia — Low Neutrophil Count

Neutropenia dangerously weakens bacterial defence increasing severe infection risk.

Neutropenia is defined as neutrophil count below 1,500 cells/mm³ (normal is 2,500–7,000), with severity classifications — mild (1,000–1,500), moderate (500–1,000), and severe (below 500) carrying highest infection risk including life-threatening sepsis. Causes include chemotherapy or radiation therapy (most common cause in cancer patients), medications including antibiotics (sulfonamides, penicillins), anticonvulsants, antipsychotics, and immunosuppressants, viral infections particularly HIV, hepatitis, or COVID-19, autoimmune disorders like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis producing antibodies destroying neutrophils, bone marrow disorders including aplastic anaemia or leukaemia, vitamin B12 or folate deficiency (also causing anaemia), and congenital neutropenia syndromes. Severe neutropenia requires immediate medical attention for fever (febrile neutropenia) as it indicates potential sepsis — treatment includes broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotics, growth factors (G-CSF) stimulating neutrophil production, and hospitalisation for monitoring and infection control.

#7 Neutrophilia — Elevated Neutrophil Count

Neutrophilia indicates active bacterial infection, inflammation, or stress response requiring treatment.

Neutrophilia shows neutrophil count above 7,000 cells/mm³, with degree of elevation suggesting underlying cause severity. Acute bacterial infections like pneumonia, appendicitis, meningitis, or sepsis cause marked neutrophilia often with "left shift" (increased immature neutrophils called bands indicating rapid bone marrow response). Inflammatory conditions including inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, vasculitis, and tissue injury from burns or surgery elevate neutrophils. Physical stress from heart attack, stroke, seizures, or trauma triggers neutrophilia as stress response. Medications particularly corticosteroids dramatically increase neutrophil counts. Chronic myelogenous leukaemia (CML) causes persistent extreme neutrophilia requiring haematology evaluation. Smoking commonly elevates neutrophils as chronic inflammatory response. Treatment focuses on addressing underlying cause — antibiotics for bacterial infections, anti-inflammatories for inflammatory conditions, smoking cessation, and in CML, targeted chemotherapy with tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

#8 Lymphocytosis — Elevated Lymphocyte Count

Lymphocytosis typically indicates viral infection but may signal certain blood cancers requiring evaluation.

Lymphocytosis shows lymphocyte count above 4,000 cells/mm³ in adults or above 9,000 in children. Acute viral infections including infectious mononucleosis (Epstein-Barr virus), cytomegalovirus, viral hepatitis, influenza, and COVID-19 commonly cause temporary lymphocytosis resolving when infection clears. Pertussis (whooping cough) causes marked lymphocytosis particularly in children. Chronic bacterial infections like tuberculosis may elevate lymphocytes. Blood cancers including chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL — most common in adults over 50), acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL — most common childhood leukaemia), and certain lymphomas cause persistent lymphocytosis requiring bone marrow biopsy and flow cytometry for diagnosis. Treatment depends on cause — supportive care for viral infections, appropriate antibiotics for bacterial infections, and chemotherapy or targeted therapy for blood cancers. Learn more about blood disorders in our guide on how to test for blood disorders.

#9 Lymphopenia — Low Lymphocyte Count

Lymphopenia impairs immune response particularly against viral infections and certain cancers.

Lymphopenia shows lymphocyte count below 1,000 cells/mm³ in adults, weakening cellular immunity. Causes include viral infections particularly HIV significantly depleting CD4+ T lymphocytes, autoimmune diseases like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, immunosuppressive medications including corticosteroids, chemotherapy, or immunosuppressants used after organ transplantation, bone marrow disorders affecting lymphocyte production, protein-calorie malnutrition reducing immune cell production, inherited immunodeficiency syndromes, and radiation therapy. Lymphopenia increases susceptibility to viral infections, fungal infections, and certain cancers. Treatment involves addressing underlying causes, stopping or reducing immunosuppressive medications when safe, nutritional support with adequate protein intake, treating infections aggressively, and in severe combined immunodeficiency, bone marrow transplantation or gene therapy. Patients should avoid live vaccines when lymphopenic and practice infection prevention including hand hygiene and avoiding sick contacts.

#10 Eosinophilia — Elevated Eosinophil Count

Eosinophilia indicates allergic reactions, parasitic infections, or certain inflammatory and malignant conditions.

Eosinophilia shows eosinophil count above 500 cells/mm³, with severity classified as mild (500–1,500), moderate (1,500–5,000), and severe (above 5,000 cells/mm³ — hypereosinophilic syndrome). Allergic conditions including asthma, allergic rhinitis, eczema, drug allergies, and food allergies commonly cause eosinophilia. Parasitic infections particularly tissue-invasive parasites like hookworm, strongyloides, or schistosomiasis markedly elevate eosinophils. Inflammatory conditions including inflammatory bowel disease, vasculitis, and eosinophilic oesophagitis raise eosinophil counts. Certain medications cause drug-induced eosinophilia including antibiotics, NSAIDs, and anticonvulsants. Blood disorders like Hodgkin lymphoma, chronic eosinophilic leukaemia, or other myeloproliferative disorders produce persistent eosinophilia requiring bone marrow evaluation. Hypereosinophilic syndrome causes very high eosinophil counts (above 1,500 for six months) with organ damage requiring aggressive treatment with corticosteroids or targeted therapies. Investigation includes detailed travel history for parasitic exposure, allergy testing, stool examination for parasites, and if unexplained, bone marrow biopsy to exclude blood cancers.

When Should You Get a CBC Test in Pune?

CBC testing is recommended for routine screening, symptom evaluation, chronic disease monitoring, and pre-operative assessment.

Healthy adults should undergo annual CBC testing as part of preventive health screening establishing baseline values and detecting silent conditions before symptoms appear. Get tested when experiencing unexplained symptoms including persistent fatigue or weakness not improving with rest, frequent infections suggesting immune problems, unexplained fever lasting more than a few days, easy bruising or bleeding from minor injuries, prolonged bleeding from cuts, weight loss without trying, night sweats, enlarged lymph nodes, pale skin or jaundice, dizziness or shortness of breath, or bone pain. Individuals with chronic conditions require periodic CBC monitoring including diabetics checking for anaemia every 6–12 months, kidney disease patients monitoring anaemia from reduced erythropoietin every 3–6 months, those taking medications affecting blood cells (chemotherapy, immunosuppressants, certain antibiotics) requiring regular monitoring, cancer patients during and after chemotherapy checking white blood cell and platelet recovery, and autoimmune disease patients on immunosuppressive treatment. Pregnant women need CBC testing in first trimester screening for anaemia, during second trimester monitoring iron status, and before delivery ensuring adequate blood cell counts for childbirth. Pre-operative assessment includes CBC testing before any surgical procedure evaluating blood counts, clotting ability, and anaemia requiring correction before surgery. Post-illness recovery from serious infections, COVID-19, dengue, or hospitalisation should include CBC confirming blood count normalisation. For convenient CBC testing in Pune, healthcare nt sickcare offers home sample collection across Aundh, Baner, Kothrud, Wakad, and Hinjewadi.

Frequently Asked Questions About CBC Tests

Take the Next Step with healthcare nt sickcare

Understanding your CBC results empowers you to take control of your health through informed discussions with your doctor and timely intervention when abnormalities appear. With healthcare nt sickcare, you receive accurate NABL-accredited laboratory testing, transparent pricing, convenient home collection across Pune, and results delivered within 24 hours enabling prompt treatment decisions. Don't wait for symptoms to worsen — regular CBC testing detects blood disorders, infections, and anaemia early when treatment is most effective. Ready to test your blood health? Explore our CBC test packages or contact us at +91 97660 60629 to schedule home sample collection today!